Don’t Miss First Galveston Food Wine Festival

04/07/2010Christine Hopkins

The weather is predicted to be in the low to mid-70s and sunny on Saturday, April 17 so I encourage you to buy your tickets early to the inaugural Galveston Island Food and Wine Festival. The event includes a “Tasting in the Park,” from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. following by nine wine pairing dinners that evening. Participating restaurants include 901 Postoffice, Luigi’s Ristorante Italiano, M&M Restaurant, Olympia The Grill at Pier 21, Rudy & Paco, Saltwater Grill, Shearn’s Restaurant, Willie G’s, and Yaga’s Café. Pricing for the dinners range from $62 to $125. Advance reservations are required and can be made on the festival website.

This year, the festival will feature South American wines as well as American wines complemented by live Latin music and entertainment. Mike Dean, president of Yaga’s Entertainment, Inc. and Yaga’s Café, is coordinating the festival.

A wine tasting ticket is $45 in advance or $60 on the day of the event. Only a limited number of tasting tickets are available. Participating wineries include Alamos, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Bonterra Vineyards, Bodega Catena Zapata, Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines, Dry Creek Vineyard, Flora Springs Winery, Geyser Peak Winery and Montes Alpha. Proceeds will benefit local Galveston charities.